The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 167. Mine Bidding

Chapter 167: 167. Mine Bidding

Rin Valarune’s duel with Lucian Caulem had left the Academy’s arena in awe, but there was also a sense of unease because Rin’s sudden departure left a lot of questions unanswered.

Rin vanished into the tunnel, and Leo’s gaze followed. His knuckles turned white on the railing as his piercing smile transformed into a taut frown. He turned to Erin Dranemount and spoke in a low, irritated voice. "That was low, Erin. You were aware of what you were doing."

Erin leaned casually against the railing, her violet eyes sparkling with bold mischief. Her tone was light but sharp as she replied, "Why haven’t you apologized to her yet? If she’s upset about your cold shoulder, don’t blame me."

His gaze returned to the tunnel as his jaw tensed and a hand swept through his red hair. With a voice full of regret, he whispered, "It’s safer if she stays away for now."

He used Shadow Step without another word, disappearing from the railing in a flash as his body faded into a swirl of black mist.

The group—Mori, Joel, Annalena, and Velmera—were standing close to Lucian when he emerged from a shimmer of mana on the arena floor, their conversation halting at his unexpected appearance.

As he moved forward, Lucian’s face brightened and his gray eyes warmed with a broad smile. With pride in his voice, he said, "Brother, I knew you’d show up for the spar."

Leo’s crimson eyes gleamed with approval as his smirk returned, softer this time. "Lucian, I couldn’t miss a fight like that. You were phenomenal."

Lucian smiled widely, His voice sparkled as he said, "Thanks."

Velmera scowled and stepped forward. "You should to have went after Senior Rin, brother-in-law," she said politely but firmly. "She appeared to be quite upset."

Leo shook his head and spoke softly as he chuckled dryly. "Do you think she would listen to me now?" he asked, his red eyes darting to the tunnel.

Mori, slouching nearby, gave Leo a knowing look. "You gotta apologize, Leonhardt," he said, his tone easy but honest. "She’d forgive you in a heartbeat if you just talked to her."

Leo’s eyes darkened with a silent guilt as his smirk vanished. He remained silent, staring at the tunnel with a twitching jaw muscle.

Avoor’s keen eyes watched Leo at the professors’ railing, his orange hair glowing brightly as he leaned forward and spoke in a low, inquisitive voice. "Why did Valarune leave so abruptly, as if she had a grudge? I thought she was in love with him."

With a slight smile on her lips and thoughtful sapphire eyes, Isolde folded her arms. "It’s not that easy," she said in a gentle yet perceptive tone.

Gidon’s rough laugh interrupted the moment, and he scratched his beard while his rugged face wrinkled with delight. His voice was full of humor as he remarked, "Hell, I thought they were practically a couple. The way her face brightens when his name is mentioned..."

Isolde looked away, her smile turning bittersweet. She clarified, her voice catching slightly, "She used to" Her eyes would gleam like diamonds whenever Leonhardt’s name was mentioned. But..."

"But?" Valem asked.

With a sigh, Isolde’s gaze strayed to the tunnel. "She came to me crying two months ago. Poured her heart out, saying she hates him."

Vaelm shook his head and laughed quietly. "Young love is inherently messy. It was probably a simple misunderstandings.

Isolde’s voice was hardly audible above a whisper, and her face remained grave. As she took care of Rin, she whispered, "I hope you’re right," with a gleam of concern in her sapphire eyes.

Far away from them, deep in the tunnel of the arena, Rin sagged against the chilly stone wall, her knees pressed tightly to her chest. Her hands trembled as she held her knees, and her lavender hair concealed her face, which was damp with silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I hate you," she said in a broken, painfully whispered voice directed at Leo.

Back in the arena, the group started talking again, Velmera’s voice bright as she told Joel and Annalena about Rin’s glowing swords, her excitement catching.

Lucian stood beside Leo, his smile fading as he watched his brother’s faraway eyes. "Won’t she be okay?" He asked in a low voice and with a worried look.

Leo’s jaw tensed and his red eyes darkened with guilt. "Yeah," he said, his voice growing quieter and devoid of its usual vigor. His eyes gleamed with determination, as though he were fighting the urge to follow her.

The Mining Guild’s auction hall in the capital city was a vast space with gleaming granite and bright lamps, their golden light creating long shadows across rows of plush velvet seats.

The Cragsunder coal mines, were up for bid today, which were once a rich resource but are now deserted and only attract a few minor nobles and small traders.

Standing at a podium with his gavel in hand, the auctioneer—a slender man in a rigid gray robe—started the bidding with a resonant voice.

With cautious offers of a few hundred gold crowns, the bidding started out slowly. Each bidder was unsure whether to spend the money on what appeared to be worthless. The room was filled with whispers and quiet laughter as the low bids—500 crowns, then 700—rose without much fanfare.

A loud, distinct voice abruptly cut through the commotion. "Ten thousand crowns of gold."

All heads turned to the back as the hall fell silent. Rin’s father, Elgar Valarune, sits there with his immaculate blue coat, silver hair that gleams in the lamplight, and pink eyes that are filled with serene assurance.

The crowd erupted in astonishment, then whispers. "Valarune? From the cosmetics manufacturer?" Shocked, one noble whispered.

"A dead mine for ten thousand?" Another muttered, shaking his head, "He’s gone crazy."

"It’s not even worth five thousand," a trader scoffed, his voice full of pity and scorn.

After a moment of stunned blinking, the auctioneer managed to speak. His voice faltered a little as he yelled, "Valarune Traders bids ten thousand crowns!" Glancing around for other bids, he lifted his gavel. "Going once, twice, three times—Sold to Valarune Traders—!" The deal was sealed with a loud crack as the gavel struck the podium.

With doubtful voices, the crowd erupted into gentle conversation.

A woman wearing a fancy feathered hat snapped her fan shut and said, "He’s throwing money away."

Another crossed his arms and sneered, "Cosmetics must be making more than we thought." They shook their heads, claiming Elgar of being a fool for squandering his fortune on a mine that was worthless.

But they didn’t know who supported him—or what secrets hid beneath Cragsunder’s worn-out coal mines.

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